HONDA builds more than 150,000 cars a year at what it describes as its European flagship factory.

A 10th generation Civic rolls off the production line every 69 seconds and the cars are exported to more than 70 countries around the world.

The family hatchback, made at the plant since 1994, was given a new generation engine and a lighter chassis.

It followed a major investment at the factory to retool.

The plant at South Marston covers more than 370 acres of what used to be an airfield and features a test track.

Facilities at the site and the latest model cars were used last year by firefighters from Wiltshire and Gloucestershire for training exercises simulating motorway crashes to help them hone their rescue skills.

Over the years Honda has produced the Accord and the Jazz at the plant as well as the CR-V. These days it only makes the Civic and the Civic Type R which were launched in 2017.

Three years ago it marked the production of its three millionth car.